Parks

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.

Map showing location of park.

Lander Lock Bridge closed to vehicles

2025-12-19

On Thursday December 18, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park closed the Lander Lock (Lock 29 at mile marker 50.8) Bridge to vehicle traffic. The bridge will remain open to bicyclists and pedestrians.

Construction to Begin on Byron Bridge Stairway

2025-09-16

The National Park Service will begin construction on a new stairway connecting the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge (Byron Bridge) to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath at mile 60.6.

NPS Rangers, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative April McClain Delaney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Fish and Wildlife and Parks Kevin Lilly, and the C&O Canal Trust CEO welcome visitors to the park

National Park Service completes a Great American Outdoors project along the C&O Canal towpath

2025-07-11

The National Park Service (NPS) today celebrated the completion of the stabilization project of a historic drylaid stone wall at Mile 11 with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. This approximately 1,015 linear foot long wall historically called the “Log Wall” plays a critical role in supporting the towpath and the canal prism and protecting them from the waters of the Potomac River. The rehabilitated historic wall ensures future generations will continue to learn and enjoy the C&O Canal in its historical context.